Catherine was born on October 30, 1930 to Charles, Sr. and Marie (Vitrano) Palmero in Elkhart, IN, and was a lifelong area resident, living in South Bend since she got married.

She graduated in 1948 from Elkhart High School.

Catherine retired in 1999 from St. John the Baptist Catholic School in South Bend, IN, where she worked as a Secretary for 10 years. Prior to that, she worked at CTS Corporation in Elkhart, IN as a Secretary from 1948-1962, and then G.L. Perry Variety Store in South Bend, IN from 1978-1989.

On January 27, 1962, as Catherine M. Palmero, she married Felix S. Rulli in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Elkhart, Indiana. He passed away on October 26, 2017.

Catherine is survived by two daughters, Cathy (Bill) Kazmierczak and Terri Rulli both of South Bend, Indiana; her son, Joe Rulli of Chicago, Illinois; two grandchildren, Michael and Samantha Kazmierczak; her brother, Joseph (Joyce) Palmero of Elkhart, IN and by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Catherine was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Palmero in 2009.

Catherine was a member of Holy Family Parish; Knights of Columbus Wives Council #5570; and St. John the Baptist Rosary Society. She enjoyed cooking for her family and baking with her grandchildren. She also loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting events. She enjoyed years of monthly dinners out with her Elkhart childhood friends and former co-workers.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00–8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2018 in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a Parish Rosary and Prayer Service will take place at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2018 in Holy Family Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Heartland Hospice or Holy Family School.